If you're tired of sampled sounds and are searching for a source of non-imitative synthetic voices to balance your repertoire, this low-cost expander could well deliver the goods. Martin Russ finds out.

CHAMELEON

Keynote Music-Software: Universal Patch Librarian

Tired of rummaging through RAM cards and boxes of floppy disks in search of a particular synth patch? Greg Truckell checks out far more convenient way to store and recall patches.

DYNACORD ADS SAMPLER

Dynacord ADS Sampler

The ADS sampler has the look and feel of a German sports car - expensive, no-nonsence, and high performance. Craig Anderton takes it for a test drive.

RCM The Power behind the Buttons!

Yamaha SY77 RCM Synthesizer: Part 2

Part 2: In this second part of our in-depth review of the SY77, Martin Russ describes Yamaha's latest synthesis method: Real-time Convolution and Modulation.

REPLAY PROFESSIONAL

Replay Professional

Martin Russ checks out this update to the popular ST Replay sampler.

People + Opinion

Composer's Desktop Project

The CDP is a non profit-making co-operative formed by a group of professional composers and researchers at York University, whose intention was to create an affordable personal workstation - a 'desktop IRCAM' - on which to run powerful synthesis and signal processing programs. Richard Dobson reveals the power of this Atari ST-based system.

Daniel Lanois

Visions Of Arcadia

Via engineering and production work with Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson and U2, Daniel Lanois has unmistakenly imprinted his personality on the sound of the Eighties. Recently he released his own solo album, 'Acadie'; Mark J. Prendergast runs through the tracks.

Technique

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About System Exclusive: Part 11

Part 11: System exclusive Trouble-shooting by Martin Russ on Kawai R50 drum machine and Alesis' DataDisk.

MIXING IN THE MIDI AGE

Mixing In The MIDI Age

This two-part feature covers both the art and the technology of mixing. The first article on page 48, 'Mixing essentials'. covers audio mixing in general, from a more basic level, and applies to any sort of studio mixing task. The second part, 'Mixing with MIDI', starts on page 54 and covers techniques made possible by MIDI, specifically automated mixing and sending MIDI instruments direct to your master tape. Craig Anderton is your guide.

RECORDING TECHNIQUES

Recording Techniques: Part 3: Musical Arrangement For Recording

David Mellor looks at arranging tricks and techniques with an eye to acieving a better recording.